It’s no longer new that during a job interview, the interviewer wants to know your reasons for quitting your last job and would possibly ask the question “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?”
This question has thrown a lot of candidates off balance as they don’t have the answer to the question ” Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?”
If you’re among the category of candidates yearning for answers this article would be giving the best answers to ” Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?”
Article Road Map
Answers To “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?”
Sample Answer 1
“When I first started working with the team I was eager to advance in my career. But because the design team was small and inexperienced, the style of management wasn’t conducive to a level of ownership by individual designers.”
Sample Answer 2
“After 5 years working at a company, I’m ready to take on a new challenge and learn something new. This role will allow me to use my previous experience and get some new knowledge as well.”
Sample Answer 3
“There’s never a wrong time to change careers. I do need to make sure that my readiness is current and there are options within reach.
That’s why I went back to school for writing skills, but I found myself wanting something different for my career. Now, I’m focused on pursuing a career in writing and the idea of getting in touch with Company X is especially exciting.”
Sample Answer 4
“Unfortunately, I was let go from my last position. My old boss and I agree that it’s time to move on to a better opportunity. My skills didn’t get much of an opportunity to shine over there, so I’m looking forward to using them in my next role.”
Sample Answer 5
Coming from a former colleague, I wasn’t considering it. But when I viewed the position, it really seemed like an exciting opportunity and a good match for me. This sounds like a great work opportunity that should be explored further.”
Sample Answer 6
“I took advantage of an early retirement offer because the company underwent downsizing. Now I’m taking on a new challenge.”
Sample Answer 7
“I recently achieved certification, and I’m ready for my next new adventure. My goal is to use my 5+ years of experience and educational background in a challenging job. But before I put pen to paper, I want to work with a company that understands me.”
Sample Answer 9
“I resigned so that I could focus on finding a job closer to home and then using my skills and experience in a different capacity.”
Sample Answer 10
“I’ve used my previous experience as a volunteer in this capacity. I love thinking about new creative ways to engage with the community.”
Sample Answer 11
“I want my passion to lead to the next step of my career.”
Sample Answer 12
“I’ve been working in a position for several years now, and I’m ready to see my productivity increase. I’d like to be a part of a company where I can contribute more and make significant progress with my career.”
Sample Answer 13
“I am interested in a new challenge and want to use my skills and experience in a different capacity.”
Sample Answer 14
“I’m interested in taking on more responsibility with my current job”
Sample Answer 15
” I was spending an hour driving to and from work every day. I’d rather be closer to home and spend more time with the ones I love”
Sample Answer 16
“I was affected by a corporate restructuring that happened after my company was acquired by another company. The company made the tough decision to relocate all its technical support staff with or without them following. I decided to find another option, so now I’m happily working with my local clientele.”
Read More:
- What Have You Been Doing Since Your Last Job? – Best Answers
- How to Answer “What Was Most and Least Rewarding About Your Last Job?”
Tips On How To Answer “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job”
There are a few things you can do to answer this question when interviewed for a new job. You can start by stating what your reasons were for leaving your last job. Consider the following points:
- State the specific reasons you left your last job and why those reasons are important to you.
- Be honest about why you wanted to leave and whether it was due to company policy or personality clashes with your co-workers.
- Demonstrate that you have considered other opportunities and that you are genuinely interested in the position being offered.
- Avoid giving generic responses, such as “I didn’t like my colleagues” or “the work was too demanding.” Instead, provide specifics about what made these companionships or workload difficult for you.
- Be realistic about your skills and experience; if your last job was downsizing, it’s likely that you won’t be viewed as a top candidate for any current openings that fit your qualifications. However, don’t underestimate the value of a positive attitude, a good work ethic, and a willingness to learn – all qualities that can still carry over into new positions.
- Finally, remember that most employers want to know that you’re someone they can trust and respect – regardless of what happened in the past. So take care with how you word your response and show gratitude for any opportunities (even if they didn’t lead to a new job right away).
- Some interviewers may ask this question as a way to get to know you better and find out what may have led you to leave your last position. The answer to this question can give insight into why you are interested in the current position and could help the interviewer see if you would be a good fit for the company. Additionally, providing an honest answer can show that you are confident and communicative.
- Avoid long-winded explanations or stories that do not reflect your true motivations for leaving your last job.
- Try to focus on specific details that illustrate why you left, and make sure to describe your experience working with the company in detail. Avoid personal attacks or accusations, as these will not help your case.
FAQ
What Is A Good Reason For Leaving A Job?
Some good reasons to leave a job include a company downturn, acquisition, merger, or restructuring. This can also include the desire for change. You may also have family or work-related issues that make it difficult to stay at the same company. At the end of the day, quitting your job is a difficult decision.
How Do I Explain Stress Leaving My Job?
“It’s been years since my last anxiety attack, and as such, I’ve earned a lot of brownie points. Believe it or not, I would love to stay here and try out this new process. It’s also a shitty job-high stressful work environment but if I can continue without major setbacks then maybe that can be a step towards health later down the line.
But unfortunately, I’m leaving because of how much it’s been affecting my health. These are some tears!”
Why Should We Hire You To Answer Best?
Your resume is your first impression. It’s your opportunity to sell yourself and demonstrate that you have skills and experience that are important for this position. The company may not be able to see these attributes, but you can show them off confidently by highlighting them on your resume.
How Do You Explain Leaving A Job Without Another?
Write a short resignation letter.
You should always include a compliment for your current employer, as well as a credible new direction. If you resign in person, take your letter to the meeting to give to the person you are resigning from so they know. Don’t blame anybody, even yourself.
Conclusion
It can be tough to answer the question “why did you leave your last job” in an interview, especially if you’re not sure how your interviewer will take it.
However, by arming yourself with knowledge about the common reasons employees leave their jobs and preparing some solid responses, you can put yourself in a much better position.
Hopefully, this will give you a head start in answering any similar queries from your potential new employer.
I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on why you left your last job. Let us know in the comments below.